In its latest Canadian Mobile Phone Forecast, the analyst firm also noted that 2011 was a milestone year in the country as it marked the first year that smartphones outnumbered feature phones in shipments and installed base.

“The fact that there are now more smartphones shipped and installed in the Canadian market than feature phones, speaks volumes about where the industry is headed,” said Krista Napier, senior analyst and tracker team lead for mobility at IDC Canada.

BlackBerry OS. Market adoption will remain fairly flat over the forecast period, increasing just slightly, as the company faces stiff competition.

Windows Phone OS.The installed base will grow significantly (albeit from a small base) and while it is not expected to reach or surpass the other leaders in the next five years, it will become an increasingly significant platform in the market.